A Book Review of “Once a Marine”
Posted by Ron Walker on 30 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Book Reviews, Military
“The last human being I see with perfect clarity – the last I will ever fully see – does his damndest to kill me.”
From this dramatic opening line in Chapter One to the last sentence of the Epilogue you will not want to put this book down; it’s simply that good.
Whether reading professional or promotional reviews of books such as this one, it’s common to see phrases like “truly inspirational” or “a must-read” splattered about to entice people to rush out and purchase a copy. As readers, we have seen these phrases used so often that we tend to afford them little to no meaning. But in the case of “Once a Marine”, not only do these phrases apply, they fall incredibly short.
Because of the candid manner in which this book was written, I
felt as though I was sitting across a campfire from Nick “Gunny Pop” Popaditch intensely listening to him as he told this incredible story.
Although he speaks in great detail of his experiences as a Marine from boot camp to his long road to recovery from a traumatic head wound which left him with one eye missing and the other almost totally blind, this is not a “oh pitiful me” or “I did it all by myself” book. In fact, throughout this book Gunny Pop spends most of his time giving credit and praise, not only to his fellow Marines, but to members of other branches of the military as well:
“From the moment I’m wounded I rack up debts to people that I can’t repay. While it happens I feel helpless, and afterward there’s lingering guilt. Nothing to keep me up at night, but still I wish I could do something to pay back what was given so freely and selflessly.”
I am not sure if he realizes it or not, but by writing this book the way he did, Gunny Pop has done just that. “Once a Marine” sheds a realistic and positive light on the amazing courage, brotherhood and commitment to excellence of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and the families they leave behind.
On the latter (family), Colonel Bryan McCoy says it best in the Foreword while describing Nick’s wife:
“Pop’s wife April is deserving of Sainthood. If ever there was a cause to define love and loyalty by action, April’s actions would achieve it. Those suffering loss of control of their lives and the lives of their loved ones can look to her example of devotion born of love and character. Providence conceals from us the way in which we will be tested. We may either submit to victimhood and capitulate our honor, or we may do as April does, everyday: commit to the cause and create belief in those around us.”
And on the character of Nick Popaditch Colonel McCoy says:
“I can personally vouch for Pop’s fighting prowess. He was always up front and leading by example. When things were at their worst, he was seen the most. In combat, there are things you can control and things you cannot control. Pop controlled his men, their emotions, their actions, and their performance and that of their equipment. What he could not control was the enemy. But what he could not control he simply overwhelmed with will and determination, and so broke the enemy.”
As I read the first chapter I began to confirm that the “control” Colonel McCoy spoke of was not the actions of an ego-maniac or a control freak. By controlling the battle, USMC Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch was doing the two most important things a tank commander does in battle: ensuring the success of his mission and looking out for the safety of the men under his command.
His commitment to mission and men first is evident when he recalls his initial thoughts after being hit in the head with a four-pound RPG traveling at 300 mph:
“Get up! Get up! Get up! I yelled it at recruits who got knocked off their feet, and now I’m yelling it at myself. Once I’m standing I act like I’m still in charge, telling my crewmen to get the tank moving and trying to call in a contact report to Red Three, my wingman’s tank about a half-block back. Moving is right, because if the enemy hits you and you don’t move he will sure as hell do it again, but the urgent need to report to Red Three is pretty goofy. No way could he not know we have contact with the enemy, unless he somehow missed two grenades exploding on my turret. And nobody hears a thing I say because the grenade blast tore the talking parts off my helmet, which is no longer on my head, anyway.
“Gunny still is Gunny, even blinded and deaf and pumping blood out of numerous new holes in my head. I wonder what the hell is wrong with Corporal Ryan Chamber, my gunner and second-in-command, because he fails to respond to my commands. I stop being annoyed when the tank gets going, after which I relax and assess the damage to myself.”
Since I find myself unable to invent new words for this review – and I would be the only one who knew their meaning even if I could – I am left with the phrases mentioned above. Nick’s story is “truly inspirational” and is indeed “a must-read” – not only for those of us who enjoy a great book, but for every red-blooded American. Once you’ve finished reading “Once a Marine” I have little doubt you will place it in a position of honor on your bookshelf – just as I have.
In the “Advance Praise” section, Ralph Peters (Lt. Co., ret.), New York Post columnist and author of “Looking For Trouble” and “Wars Of Blood and Faith” suggests that people should not only read this story and recommend it to friends, but they should also send a copy to their members of Congress. But those of us who live and vote in California’s 51st Congressional District can do one better. Because Nick has decided to once again answer his country’s call to duty by running for Congress, instead of sending a copy of the book to our Congressman, in November we will have the opportunity to send to Congress the man who wrote the book.
I have had the honor and privilege of speaking with April and Nick Popaditch on numerous occasions. They are both honest and devoted American Patriots.
If elected, I know that Nick Popaditch will fight for his constituents and the people of this country with the same honor and distinction he did as a United States Marine, and will remain true to the USMC motto: Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful).
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on 31 Aug 2010 at 7:53 AM 1.Marty said …
Wow. All I can say is just, Wow.
Ron, I have read a few reviews of this outstanding book, none have captured the essence of both the book and the man like you have right here.
As you have illustrated so well, this book is about what is IN Nick’s chest, not what is on it. It is simply not possible to read this book and not walk away with a better understanding of what honor truly is. And that honor, courage, pride and love of country is exactly why I want this man to represent me in congress.
Well done Sir. Well done.
Marty